The competition to find the next CEO of Disney is intensifying, and a lot of people within the company think they know who is most likely to succeed Bob Iger.
According to executives and people in the industry who are following the situation, Josh D’Amaro, the head of Disney’s theme parks, is now considered the leading candidate.
The board is considering four people already working within the company: D’Amaro, Dana Walden, Alan Bergman, and Jimmy Pitaro. Walden and Bergman jointly lead Disney’s entertainment group, and Pitaro is in charge of ESPN.
Despite increasing rumors, Iger has dismissed the notion that a decision is imminent. A source who overheard a recent conversation stated that Iger claimed he had “no idea” about the origin of the talk surrounding D’Amaro potentially taking over, and emphasized that the board hasn’t selected a successor as of yet.
The search for a new leader is being headed by Disney Chairman James Gorman. He became a board member in 2024, following his work guiding leadership transitions at Morgan Stanley.
Disney has stated that its team responsible for planning future leadership, known as the succession committee, meets frequently. However, the company hasn’t shared any specific information about these meetings. A company spokesperson chose not to provide further details when asked.
Since 2020, D’Amaro has been in charge of Disney’s Experiences division, covering everything from theme parks and cruise ships to consumer products. This division is performing exceptionally well, generating $8.12 billion in profit during the first nine months of fiscal 2025 – more than all of Disney’s movie, television, streaming, and sports businesses put together. Looking ahead, Disney plans to invest as much as $60 billion over the next ten years to grow its parks, add more cruise ships, and launch its first branded theme park in the Middle East.
D’Amaro is now frequently seen at public gatherings, including the celebration of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary on Wall Street alongside Iger. He also attends film premieres and participates as a speaker at industry conferences. Notably, he’s even made appearances at events organized by competing companies like Netflix, where he networked with top-level executives.
Dana Walden is considered his biggest rival. Alongside Alan Bergman, she successfully guided Disney+ to become profitable after a long period of financial losses. Walden has also focused on strengthening relationships with investors by appearing on CNBC and participating in various financial conferences.
Those familiar with the situation see Bergman and Pitaro as less probable candidates, but they are still involved in the selection process. To many people following the situation, the competition appears to be a head-to-head race between D’Amaro and Walden.
The person selected for this role will have significant hurdles to overcome. Disney is making large investments in its theme parks, all while attempting to revitalize its film and television divisions. The company is also focused on remaining competitive in the streaming market, where it has recently seen its position weaken. This is a critical time for the entertainment giant, and the new leader will need to navigate these complex issues. Success will require a strong vision and effective execution.
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2025-10-03 11:44